I have a major case of start-itis right now, all for winter sweaters. Here are the sweaters I'm dying to cast on that are swirling around in my head:
The new Tree Jacket by the Zephyr Style ladies
The Wheat Ear Cable Yoke Pullover (I can wait until 9/1 when the KAL for this starts)
Cable Down Raglan - I don't think I joined the KAL for this one but I might once I decide to start this
I know there was another one or two, but I can't think of them right now. I think the other competing items were the RCC by Annie Modesitt (with the SKC) and the Lovely Lace Leaf hemp skirt, especially now that Jenny finished such a great one!
I know if I cast on any of these sweaters, it will take me too long to finish what I already have in process, though. So, start-itis has also prompted an accompanying case of finish-itis. My hands and forearms were aching yesterday, I think because of the 300 stitches I picked up on that lace and bobble jacket and succeeding 300-stitch rows. I finished 7 of 15 of them on Sunday and didn't have the strength to work on this last night. I only got a couple of rows done on the yellow pullover (last piece, the front) and decided to put it down as I didn't want to aggravate the hand ache. I feel better this morning but haven't tried to knit yet.
One of the other upcoming events that is spurring interest in all these new fall sweaters is the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair in Crystal Lake this weekend. As if I needed more yarn - but really I do - all of my aran weight yarn that I wanted to use is variegated and I need smooth solid colors for these textured sweaters. I'm going on Saturday with blog-free Lisa and Heather (who I met on the Threadbear trip) and I heard that Brooks Farm (for sure) and possibly Tess Designer Yarns are going to be there. Then I'll be seeing both of those vendors again the middle of next month at Stitches Midwest - so I am going to try to only buy yarn for one project this weekend. I discovered that the cinnamon color Silk & Ivory
is actually DK weight so isn't going to work for the Wheat Ear pullover, so darn - have to buy something for that. I might be able to use that yarn for the Cable Down Raglan though, as I think that is a lighter gauge.
I do have some single-color aran weight Brooks Farm Riata in purple
but I think it is too fuzzy for the cabled sweaters. I do think it will be perfect for the Tree Jacket, though.
In the back of my mind are all the KALs I am hosting - but I do have stash yarn designated for at least three more projects from Fitted Knits and stash yarn designated for one more project in Knitting Lingerie Style. I can buy more yarn later for future KLS projects if I don't have anything suitable. For the KCAL on Loop D Loop, I have stash yarn for a few projects to get me started.
Ahh, I feel better now that I have this all figured out now. I am one of those people that think as they talk (or write) so this helps me to have everything planned out. I think I am still a diehard "J" in the Myers-Briggs test in some way, as I like to have things decided. On the other hand, I do like to stay flexible and take advantage of opportunities that arise - so that's a "P"-like trait. Oh well. Time to go do my workout. Wow, I actually managed a normal post, with pictures, links, and commentary. I think my blogging dry spell is finally over!
I have the same urge to cast on a nice cosy sweater so its all ready for the cold weather but what with Mystery Stole 3 and socks I have to get done for swaps I just don't have the time at the moment. Hopefully by the end of the month I can cast something on.
Posted by: lyndsey-jane | July 17, 2007 at 06:43 AM
The cable down raglan is on my todo list and wow that purple yarn is just fab!
Posted by: Julie | July 17, 2007 at 06:46 AM
300 stitches!?!?!? LOL! I have to find some yarn for the tree jacket then I am all over it. I am ready for winter knitting too....I don't think summer knitting agrees with me! LOL
Posted by: Adrienne | July 17, 2007 at 08:33 AM
I love the Wheat Ear Cable Yoke Pullover - can't wait to see how you knit it/what you knit it with! It's def. on my to-knit list but I probably won't get to it until October...
and I'm like you - listing things and writing things out always helps me understand things better.
Posted by: Sourire11 | July 17, 2007 at 10:56 AM
I'm right there with you on wanting to finish my wip's. There must be something in the air b/c I've been experiencing pain at the base of my thumb.
Posted by: Jeanine | July 17, 2007 at 01:23 PM
Wow you have a lot going on with knitting in your "que" :oD
And I know how you feel about the hurting hand! I experience it when working to long on my lizard ridge. Breaks are good!
Oh! I so want to go to Stitch East but have to sit this one out! Have fun with your other knitting buddies at Crystal Lake!
Posted by: Stacey | July 17, 2007 at 01:34 PM
I LOVE the new Zephyr sweater...I'm trying to think of a good non-wool yarn for it...
Posted by: Melissa | July 17, 2007 at 01:56 PM
wow! I keep thinking I don't know how she does it. I really like that Tree Jacket too! Have fun on your trip!
Posted by: Bobbi | July 17, 2007 at 02:12 PM
We're all in the same boat! I LOVE that new Zephyr sweater! I'm thinking of buying the pattern, but I'm afraid if I do, then the yarn will come next --and you know how that goes! I do have yarn set aside for the Cable Down Raglan--Berroco Pure Merino. It's lovely stuff--got it for a good price on Ebay! If I could, I would make just about everything in that Spring issue of IK. It's definitely one of my favorites!
Posted by: Kozy Kitty | July 17, 2007 at 02:35 PM
I love that new Zephyr pattern, I have to buy it!
Looks like you have a lot of great projects planned.
Posted by: Michelle | July 17, 2007 at 03:12 PM
How fast do you knit a sweater, anyway? I mean, do you grease your needles or something?
Posted by: Sarah | July 17, 2007 at 03:56 PM
You? Too long? Don't make me go off on you....;)
All of those sweaters are fabu and there is no doubt that you will finish all of them before Stitches East!!
Posted by: Heather | July 17, 2007 at 05:33 PM
All those sweaters are great. That was the first time I have seen the Tree Jacket, and I really like it!
Posted by: Kristina | July 17, 2007 at 05:46 PM
I love the Wheat Ear Cable Sweater!
I'll be at the Fiber Fest on Friday, I hope you and Heather have a great time...I'll try to leave some yarn for you :)
Posted by: Dee | July 17, 2007 at 05:51 PM
So many KAL's and so little time!!!! That's what I have found out. I especially love Tree Jacket and the cable down raglan.... those are on my list for sure. Imagine that....you and I knitting the same things!
Posted by: Lara | July 17, 2007 at 06:56 PM
I was going to go to the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair until moving got in the way. I am going to have to wait until next year. However I am going to Stitches. What day are you going? I will try to go then so we can meet up.
Posted by: Jeremy | July 17, 2007 at 09:12 PM
*sigh* let me just add another sweater to my list of "must-haves". LOL. The list grows on.
BTW, that Tess yarn looks soft enough to fondle. *drool* That is some darn pretty stuff. I'll have to check that out.
Right now, I'm contemplating going to Rhinebeck this year in upstate NY. Kind of iffy b/c it's the husbo's birthday on the 20th of that weekend. Rhinebeck knitting is definitely already on my mind.
Good luck!
Posted by: Sharon | July 17, 2007 at 09:42 PM
Is this some sort of conformist blog-pressure that you always refer to me as "blog-free Lisa"???
I am starting to consider buying a digital camera, but you know how anti-technology I can be....
Karalund is going very well.
Posted by: blog-free Lisa | July 17, 2007 at 11:19 PM
Aaagh! You are bad! Now I want to make all of those sweaters and I have no time. :whimper:
Posted by: Romi | July 17, 2007 at 11:40 PM
I'm looking forward to the Fiber Fest. I've never been to one before. I love that yoke pullover as well. Anything with cables gets my attention.;)
Posted by: Heather R | July 18, 2007 at 08:13 AM
I was really busy yesterday, so I just kind of skimmed this entry, but I had to LOL at the "blogging dry spell." WHAT blogging dry spell?
I feel your pain on the start-itis, finish-itis, yarn buying-itis, etc. I keep trying to rationalize quitting work so I can knit full time, but there's that whole no money = no yarn equation I can't get over. ;)
Posted by: Jenny | July 18, 2007 at 11:47 AM